Tafara Childcare and Nutritional CentreA ministry that provides pre-school children with a secure and caring environment while feeding their minds, bodies and spirit.

Location and Statistics: Tafara township is a high-density area located 36 minutes from Harare, the capital city, of Zimbabwe. The official unemployment rate is difficult to tie-down, however, unofficial statistics show it as high as 90%. In the last year the inflation rate has surged throughout Zimbabwe further stretching the $1 a day an average person may earn in the country.

In the last few years, programs for people with disabilities have finally taken shape. Prior to that, disabled individuals were kept at home and out of sight for fear of being severely scrutinized by negative attitudes, beliefs and customs. They were considered a burden of society. One year ago, while visiting Tafara, we still heard of horrific stories such as stones being thrown at children and threats of eviction because people with disabilities bring “bad luck” upon the house and the people living in it.

Tafara Childcare and Nutritional Centre was founded by Pastor Munorwei (Muno) Chirovamavi and his wife, Felistas who are passionate about helping the disadvantaged. In 2018, To Love a Child – Zimbabwe (TLCZ) was established. The centre is now also guided by TLCZ.

To Love a Child, Inc. has been supporting this program since its inception in 2009.

Purpose:The purpose of this project is two-fold: the first goal is to incorporate children with disabilities into the program currently operating at Tafara Childcare and Nutritional Centre. At this time, the centre serves 30 children between the ages of 3 and 5. Pastor Muno plans to add a minimum of 15 children (under the age of 10) with disabilities this Fall. There are over 600 individuals in the Tafara area labeled with such maladies as, Hydrocephalus, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy and most commonly Cerebral Palsy.

There are many benefits of an inclusive education for both students with and without disabilities which will be extremely valuable in Tafara.

Benefits of Inclusion for Students with Disabilities include:

Friendships

Increased social initiations, relationships and networks

Peer role models for academic, social and behavior skills

Increased achievement of educational goals

Enhanced skill acquisition and generalization

Increased inclusion in future environments

Greater opportunities for interactions

Higher expectations

Families are more integrated into community

Benefits of Inclusion for Students without Disabilities:

Meaningful friendships

Increased appreciation and acceptance of individual differences

Increased understanding and acceptance of diversity

Respect for all people

Prepares all students for adult life in an inclusive society

Opportunities to master activities by practicing and teaching others

Greater academic outcomes

There are 3 teachers who have been at the centre since its infancy. These teachers will undergo training in order to work with children with learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. An additional special education teacher will be added. As the centre and its programs grow the potential of including additional students also grows.

The second goal is to provide respite for the caregivers who are overwhelmed with the tasks of caring for a child with disabilities. Caregivers will have an opportunity to earn an income through small entrepreneurial projects. Since most of the households are run by women the ability to work outside the home is critical to put food on the table, pay school tuition and give them a sense of hope and self-esteem.

Business and Strategic Plans:

● To Love a Child – Zimbabwe (TLCZ) is a trust established August 2, 2018. It is the sister organization of To Love a Child, Inc. located in Ballston Lake, NY.